Our Window Energy Rating
The latest revisions to Part L Building Regulations, which are due to come into force in England and Wales in October, will set a new mandatory requirement for window energy performance within the Window Energy Ratings (WERs) Scheme.
Stricter requirements
WERs have been the main way of demonstrating Part L compliance since the last revision to the regulations in 2006, and they have proved popular with consumers who recognise the A to G energy labels from the white goods they buy for their home. The introduction of Part L 2010 will see the requirement for a Window Energy Rating rise from an 'E' rating to a minimum 'C' rating. This, however, is widely expected to increase to a mandatory 'A' rating in 2016 as the construction industry moves ever closer to the end goal of zero carbon buildings.
The new regulations will also remove what we like to think of as the 'get out of jail card' that has made it possible for fabricators to comply to the 2006 regulations by simply supplying a window that has a glass centre pane value of 1.2 W/m2K. Under the new regulations this is likely to be allowed only in exceptional circumstances, for example where the choice of frame is restricted, such as in conservation areas. It should be noted that there are two main routes to compliance for the new Part L legislation, Window Energy Ratings and the 'U' Value, both of which have been revised in these latest regulations.
Cost effective certification
These changes certainly mark an important step change for the window industry and it's not surprising that many view them as a challenge. However, while we appreciate there are concerns, we believe this is an ideal opportunity to bring some clarity to window performance and to drive up standards across the board. That's why at Blyweert Beaufort we are doing all we can to help our customers meet these new stringent regulations with practical, cost effective support.
We started designing and testing products with A to C ratings well before the new mandatory requirements were confirmed and now have schemes in place to fast track our customers to compliance if their product and manufacturing methods meet the new standards. Having our own in-house BFRC certified simulators also means that our fabricators can save the time and cost of outsourcing simulations. Indeed, to date we have conducted thousands of simulations with a variety of frame configurations, low-e glazing and warm edge spacer technology to ensure that we are able to provide off the shelf data using glass specifications from leading suppliers.
Sustainability
Today’s world calls for us all to be more conscious of our environment. In 1998 the world recognised this by signing the Kyoto Agreement. The Kyoto Agreement directly affected the construction industry by demanding that buildings become more thermally efficient. With these demands longevity, thermal efficiency, sustainability and recyclability are now critical factors in construction.
Unlike some alternative building materials, aluminium offers an almost unlimited life expectancy.
Aluminium does not age like other organic materials and needs no protection from ultra-violet light. It’s overall life-cycle is more environmentally friendly due to the minimum energy required in maintenance and the well established, proven design life of aluminium assures the that aluminium will provide a long term solution year on year with the guarantee of 100% recyclability at the end of a building’s life.
Source: IAI/EAA
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